Chapter 2 Flashcards
Define Empires
A distinct type of political entity, which may or may not be a state, possessing both a home territory and foreign territories. It is a disputed concept that some have tried to apply to the United States to describe its international reach, huge capabilities, and vital global role of underwriting world order.
Define International Systems
A set of interrelated parts connected to form a whole. In realist theory, systems have defining principles such as hierarchy (in domestic politics) and anarchy (in international politics).
Define Sovereignty
The principle that within its territorial boundaries the state is the supreme political authority, and that outside those boundaries the state recognizes no higher political authority.
Define International Hierarchical
A structure of authority in which states and other international actors are ranked according to their relative power.
Define International Society
The concept used to describe a group of sovereign states that recognize, maintain, and develop common norms, rules, and practices that enable them to coexist and cooperate
Define State System
The regular patterns of interaction between states, but without implying any shared values between them. This is distinguished from the view of a ‘society’ of states.
Define Non-intervention
The principle that external powers should not intervene in the domestic affairs of sovereign states
Define Sovereign Equality
The technical legal equality possessed by sovereign states as expressed in UN General Assembly votes.
Define International Law
The formal rules of conduct that states acknowledge or contract between themselves.
Define Anarchy
A system of operating in the absence of any central government. Does no imply chaos, but in realists the absence of political authority.
Define Balance of Power
Situation in international politics in which states strive to achieve equilibrium of power in the world in order to prevent any other country or coalition of countries from dominating the system.
Define Law of Nations
Literal translation of the ancient Roman term ‘just gentium’. Although today used interchangeably with the term ‘international law’, or law between nations, its original meaning referred to underlying legal principles common to all nations.
Define Peaceful Coexistence
The minimal basis for orderly relations between states even when they are in contention with each other, as in the cold war period.
Define Extraterritorial
Occurs when one government attempts to exercise legal authority in the territory of another states. It mainly arises when the US federal government deliberately tries to use domestic law to control the global activities of transnational companies.
Define Peace of Westphalia
Treaties of Osnabruck and Munster, which together form the ‘Peace of Westphalia’ ended the Thirty Years’ War and were crucial in delimiting the political rights and authority of European monarchs. Among other things, the Treaties granted monarchs rights to maintain standing armies, build fortifications, and levy taxes.
